Helping high school students navigate racial identity

Helping high school students navigate racial identity

 

Anecia Gill, Sociology BA 2017

By creating an anti-racism mentorship workshop that she intends to deliver at Abbotsford high schools this fall, Anecia Gill was able to combine her passions for social theory and her hometown.

Gill’s family has lived in Abbotsford for over 100 years and she feels a strong connection to this place. She is also drawn to sociology thanks to her mother, who took a degree in the same field and had all of her old textbooks on the family bookshelf. Gill completed her own Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at UFV this spring and in her final year she created the workshop in a directed study with Dr. Katherine Watson.

Inspired by critical race theory (DuBois, Fanon), which outlines the complexities of non-white racial identity, she wanted to help young people in Abbotsford navigate this complicated terrain.

“The root of this is the racism they face,” she says. “I’m hoping that I can help explain . . . and legitimize their experiences so that they can better understand themselves and how they fit within society.” Gill notes that when people have theoretical knowledge and vocabulary, they can better articulate their experiences and advocate for themselves within their communities.

Schools, she says, have had a long history acting as gatekeepers for legitimate knowledge, so offering an after-school workshop that attempts to critique power structures seemed like the ideal place. Her intention is for the program to help decolonize and validate non-white identity by legitimizing and supporting the lived realities of non-white students, in particular, Indo-Canadian youth, whom the program targets.

She admits that she can’t teach high school students the ins and outs of critical race theory in five days, but she wants to spark their interest. And in doing so, she hopes to give youth some helpful tools to understand and negotiate their racial identity.

For a taste of what students will learn, check out Gill’s course outline:

Day one: Cultural hegemony and power knowledge – Gramsci and Foucault

Day two: Critical Race Theory – Du Bois and Fanon

Day three: Brown experiences of racism – Said

Day four: Intersectionality of race and gender: a critique of imperialist feminism

Day five: Wrap-up discussion

GENERAL STUDIES MINI FAIR

Designed to address student needs within the program, this mini-fair will cover the following topics:

  • Diploma Drop-In: 2-3:30pm
  • GPA Booster Workshop: 3-3:30pm
  • So you want to be a teacher? 3:30-4:30pm
  • Degree Drop-In: 4:30-6pm

WHEN: Monday, May 14
TIME: 2-6PM
LOCATION: D217, Abbotsford Campus

OPEN TO EVERYONE! Come learn about customized learning plans, speak with an advisor, or learn how to calculate your GPA.

Click on the event link to learn more!

INTERPRET CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

Creative & Performing Arts Festival

Date: Friday, April 27
Time: 6pm – 10:30pm
Location: Evered Hall, Student Union Building

This first-time event will celebrate the arts at UFV featuring Theatre, Creative Writing and Visual Arts. The following individuals, including alumni, will showcase their diverse talents on April 27, 2018:

Margret Bollerup
Bethany Caldwell
Paige Caldwell
Sidi Chen
Julia Dovey
Emily Eggert-Botkin
Cat Friesen
Mitch Huttema
Jessica Karroll
Jesse Klassen
Luke Kokoszska
Abrianna Leaming
Wenwei Liu
Cameron McKerchar
Willow Mussell
Emilie Poirier
Deanne Ratzlaff
Deb Silver
Krystina Spracklin
Christopher Taylor

Readings and performances by UFV Creative Writing and THEA Directing 451 students. Selected artworks from the University Arts Collection will also be on display in addition to works produced by the following courses: IDS400: Decolonizing Canada’s 150th, VA 232 Sculpture & Extended Media II, VA 252 Print Media II, VA 160 Video Production I & VA 261 Video Production II.

Opening Reception: 6:00 PM @ Evered Hall, Student Union Building, 33844 King Rd Abbotsford.

The art exhibition will run until May 11, 2018.

Event locations include the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery (B136), D and C buildings.

Catered by Restaurant 62. Live music from 9-10:30 PM! Performers include Kristin Witko, Myriad of Whispers and DJ Simon Bridgefoot.

Event is free and everyone is welcome!

Sponsored by SUS, UFV, CIVL Radio, Restaurant 62, & Ravens Brewing Company

 

CELEBRATE INSPIRATION – AND DISCOVER YOUR MUSE

The 2018 Graphic and Digital Design grads are rooted in the inspiration around them — from little details and large patterns, to where they live, who they are, and aspire to be. They have discovered new terrain and uncovered unique ideas. It’s time to celebrate inspiration with them and find your muse.

The University of the Fraser Valley, Graphic + Digital Design Portfolio Show:
an exhibition of communication design, brand identity, dynamic media and interactive design

Reception: TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 | 4 – 7 pm
Exhibition: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 | 9 – 6 pm

HIGHSTREET, ABBOTSFORD
J150 – 3122 MOUNT LEHMAN RD.

UFVGDD.COM

Join our Facebook Event

Take a Course in 18 Days with UFV U-Cube!

Focus and fast track your education! During the 2018 Summer Semester, the College of Arts is offering the U-Cube program to all UFV students.

What is U-Cube? It is a Condensed University Block Experience at UFV.

This semester’s pilot program will allow students to take blocks of condensed courses in:

  • Theatre 101 (May Block: May 3-25)
  • English 108 (June Block: May 31-June 22)
  • History 102 (July Block: June 27-July 20)
  • Geography 130 (August Block: July 25-August 17)

Each course will run Monday to Friday (3 hours per day).

Space is limited, don’t miss out on this new summer opportunity! Sign-up today, visit: ufv.ca/arts/u-cube/

Scholarship Available to ONLY UFV Arts Students!

There is a new scholarship available to UFV College of Arts students kindly donated by arts enthusiast Eero Sorila to commemorate his parents Henrik and Alice Sorila.

DEADLINE: May 10, 2018
AVAILABLE TO: Students enrolled in any program in the College of Arts (*Preference will be given to Chilliwack students)
AMOUNT: Varies
HOW-TO APPLY: Apply on-line at MyUFV (Log into MyUFV, click on Student Information, click on Student Services, then the tab for Financial Aid.

To learn more, visit: https://goo.gl/GgHS5A
Find inspiration through Eero’s journey in the UFV blog https://goo.gl/7BH8ix